Rangers rout Ross County with impressive six-goal display

Cyriel Dessers and Rabbi Matondo both grabbed doubles as rampant Rangers routed Ross County 6-0 in their William Hill Premiership encounter at Hampden Park.

Nigeria striker Dessers scored after 18 minutes with a clinical finish and winger Matondo added a neat second just before the interval.

Dessers poached a third in the 58th minute for his fifth goal in six outings this season and, after midfielder Tom Lawrence notched in the 65th minute, Matondo grabbed his brace with a close-range finish, with substitute Danilo adding a late sixth.

It was a convincing win for Philippe Clement’s side and a boost ahead of the Old Firm game next week where they will, however, find Celtic several levels superior to County, who were out of their depth.

Rangers are using the national stadium as their temporary home due to the delayed refurbishment of one stand at Ibrox, albeit the return to their home could be sooner than envisaged, with the hope that any more visits to Mount Florida this season would only be for cup semi-finals and finals.

If it is to be their last game at Hampden, they leave on a high although the east end of the city will prove a more formidable battle ground next Sunday.

County were knocked out of the Premier Sports Cup by League Two side Spartans last weekend and again it proved a long afternoon for everyone from Dingwall.

Clement’s side – with Leon Balogun, Connor Barron, Lawrence and Dessers back in the ranks – camped in the County half almost from kick-off albeit it was the visitors who came closest first with only a great save from Ibrox keeper Jack Butland preventing striker Ronan Hale finding the top corner with a powerful drive.

The Light Blues took advantage of their escape and the opener was created by the skill of Lawrence who slipped effortlessly past a couple of County players and played in Dessers who took a few steps before rifling the ball low past Staggies keeper Ross Laidlaw.

Three minutes later, with the Dingwall defence in tatters, Dessers set up Lawrence but with only Laidlaw to beat he slipped the ball past the post.

County could not muster an attack of note.

In the 25th minute Matondo skimmed the top of the crossbar with a shot after Dessers’ run came to an end inside the Ross County penalty area.

Five minutes before the break Laidlaw tipped a header from Gers defender John Souttar over the bar from a Vaclav Cerny cross.

Balogun picked up a neck injury as he challenged for the ball which – after Butland saved from Aidan Denholm following a counter – saw him replaced by with midfielder Mohamed Diomande, with Dujon Sterling moving back into defence.

When Matondo knocked in a cross from skipper James Tavernier at the near post just before the interval the points were safe but the Staggies’ goal remained at peril.

Rangers started the second-half strongly and Diomande and Jefte came close with drives before Dessers converted a cut-back from Matondo.

The Ibrox side were on a roll and there was more joy when Lawrence’s shot from a Matondo pass went in off the post, before he and Dessers were replaced by Kieran Dowell and Danilo, with Matondo directing in a Cerny cross minutes later.

County suffered further with the final blow self-inflicted.

Danilo drew a great save from Laidlaw with a curling shot in the final minute of normal time before he pounced when the County defence failed to clear their lines, and poked in number six from close range.